The Best Camera is Whatever Works
I didn’t do much street photography in Paris since we were often on the move. However, when an opportunity arose, I made my best effort to capture a scene.
In 2021 while photographing in a park at a residential neighborhood, I was surprised to receive a few sharp glares from locals the moment I raised my point-and-shoot camera to my eye. I expected that its small, unassuming design would be less intrusive. Interestingly, I noticed that using my iPhone drew no attention at all. So, I stuck with it. Admittedly, I thrive on working within limitations, finding that constraints challenge me to be more creative and to “see” differently. Sometimes, the best camera is whatever works.
Just before I graduated from Brooks Institute, digital cameras and Adobe Photoshop were rapidly gaining popularity. As darkrooms and film labs closed their doors, the new technology—with its constant and costly upgrades—felt unsustainable for me. Instead, I focused on refining my eye using whatever camera gear I had.
Over the years, my greatest investment has been in sharpening that vision—learning to truly see and nurturing the art of composition. This commitment to seeing the world differently sustains me for the long haul. The learning is constant, and I never tire of it.
As always, let’s meet each other in the comments section below. Let me know if you have a favorite image or two or if anything I wrote resonated with you.
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i learned along the way same thing but said in a different way: the best camera is the one that you have in your hand
I really like “say cheese” and “caterpillar”